On Discovery by Hilaire Belloc
The story revolves around a young boy who discovers that his family's estate has been sold to a group of people he dislikes. He sets out on a journey to reclaim the property and along the way encounters various obstacles, including bandits and wild animals. The narrative explores themes of identity, community, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1924 · Genre: Travel, Philosophical, Inspirational · 1,224 words
First lines
There is a great consolation lying all bottled and matured for those who choose to take it, in the modern world -- and yet how few turn to it and drink the bracing draft! It is a consolation for dust and frequency and fatigue and despair -- this consolation is the Discovery of the World.
What this Textopian page supports
On Discovery is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1924 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Travel, Philosophical, Inspirational, Essay
- Length: 1,224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On Discovery by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering On Discovery?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Travel first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- On Ignorance by Hilaire Belloc
- Questions At Issue by Edmund Gosse
- On Entries by Hilaire Belloc
- Essays On Paul Bourget by Mark Twain
- Thomas Carlyle And His Works by Henry David Thoreau
- On Irony by Hilaire Belloc
Genres
- Travel — The text emphasizes exploration and discovery of new places, both near and far, highlighting the excitement and novelty of travel.
- Philosophical — The narrative delves into the philosophical idea of discovery as a means to combat monotony and dullness in life.
- Inspirational — The work encourages readers to seek out new experiences and perspectives, offering a motivational message about the endless possibilities of discovery.
- Essay — The writing style and structure resemble an essay, presenting a reflective and analytical exploration of the theme of discovery.
Tags
Philosophy · Non-Fiction · Essay · Literary Criticism · Intellectual History · Western Philosophy · 19th Century Thought · 20th Century Thought · Cultural Commentary · Social Commentary · Historical Context · Critical Thinking